Hoppers Best BlueClaws With Late-Game Comeback

LAKEWOOD, N.J. (April 18, 2018) - One night after an extra-innings loss to Lakewood, the Grasshoppers turned the tables on the BlueClaws with a 5-4 win in 10 innings in Wednesday night's series finale at FirstEnergy Park. Greensboro (7-5) trailed by three runs going into the eighth inning before tying the game in the top of the frame and going on to win in the 10th.
With the game tied 4-4 in the top of the 10th and B.J. López starting the inning on second base, Jhonny Santos moved the runner to third with a sacrifice bunt, and two batters later, Aaron Knapp singled to bring home Lopez.  
Greensboro survived a bases-loaded scare in the bottom of the 10th as Lakewood used a hit batter and a base hit to put three men on base with one out. Hoppers reliever Manuel Rodriguez bounced back to retire Quincy Nieporte and Jake Scheiner to end the game.
Colton Hock (2-1) earned the win, tossing 4.0 scoreless relief innings while working around four hits and a walk and striking out four. Rodriguez earned the save (2) for his scoreless 10th inning. Lakewood reliever Luis Ramirez (0-2) took the loss, allowing an unearned run in the 10th inning.  
Lakewood scored two runs in the first inning and another in the second en route to an early 3-1 lead. The BlueClaws built their lead to 4-1 in the fifth and held on until the Grasshoppers big eighth inning.
In the eighth, J.C. Millan and B.J. Lopez led off with back-to-back singles, and a wild pitch moved the duo into scoring position. Sam Castro drew a 1-out walk, prompting the BlueClaws to lift Julian Garcia from the game in favor of reliever Kyle Dohy. Millan scored on a passed ball, and Knapp walked to reload the bases. Garvis Lara was then hit by a pitch, bringing in a run, and Castro later scored on a wild pitch to tie the game, 4-4.   
 
The Grasshoppers are back at First National Bank Field on Thursday to open a 4-game home stand against the Charleston RiverDogs. Thursday's game is another Thirsty Thursday presented by Natty Greene's and 107.5 KZL with gates opening at 6 p.m. and first pitch at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available online at gsohoppers.com.